I continue to get in the workouts, by hook or by crook. And it certainly makes a difference. I can feel the stress as if its caked on salt from a long training run. Without the 3-4 mile runs either on the road, the treadmill or eliptical, I'd probably go postal. Its amazing. The doom and gloom swirls about my consciousness and then I get a run in and, you know, I feel it will all be ok!

The gym isn't as stimulating, experientially, but the effects are the same. I do miss being with other runners in races. The run with Marshall was the first time in a long while doing a group run and I really enjoyed that. I am going to make an effort to participate more some group efforts.

Now that temperatures are dipping below 40, outdoor running is touch and go. Twice this week I was at the gym on the treadmill and was almost enjoying it. The big benefit, besides not freezing my butt off, is that the impact and pounding is so much less and I feel pretty good afterwards. It also is a good stress reliever and in these times, I need the stress release. Tomorrow is the Philadelphia Marathon and as it turns out, it will be pretty chilly. So, I am not feeling too bad that I did not make the training to run it. I am somewhat reconciled that I may not do another marathon and am focused on being runner for staying fit. As long as I am able to run liesurely 3 to 4 times a week 3 to 4 miles a pop, I win!

Drive Carefully; Run Safely; Everyone Slowdown!
It never registered how dangerous running on the road can be. Sure I'd heard many people talk about the hazards of drivers but it just never resonated. A few a weeks ago I was going around a curve, against traffic as you should and this car was coming towards me and at the last minute swerved away to avoid hitting me. It was a little too close but not too close.

That was my first wake-up call. Since, I have not had any more close encounters with drivers and their speedy ways but am much more mindful of what's going on around me. For example, at night, if I run, I wear reflectors and leave the iPod at home so I can hear everything around me. I always run against traffic. But being careful sometimes is not enough.

On Halloween, a Syosset High School Track and Cross Country runner was hit while running, by a driver going only 20 mph. Sadly, he died from the injuries he sustained; this occurred 3 blocks from my house where I run all the time. And this past week two joggers in Huntington were hit by a driver from my community. Tragically, one of the joggers died and the other is seriously injured.

And its not just cars and drivers you need to look out for. Not long ago I tripped over "protrusions" on the ground and fell, TWICE in two days. Suffice it to say, we all need to more careful out there. Runners & Drivers. And please, folks in your cars, SLOWDOWN!!

Yesterday marked the end of Marshall Ulrich’s cross country quest (Running America 2008), completing a San Francisco to New York run in 52 days. Not bad for a 57 year old. In fact he set a Masters and Grand Masters record in doing so. I had the unique and wonderful experience of hooking up with Marshall and his team (they were filming this historic event for a documentary) at 165th Street and Riverside Drive as he came off the George Washington Bridge. Along with about 10 others, we ran with Marshall for close to 5 miles as he headed to City Hall to cap his odyssey (click here for more and here). This was such fun! I met some really nice runners and we had such a fun and inspired time running with this Ultra Endurance legend.